Well that was umm eventful. Well played Glasgow, you put up one hell of fight but I am glad we got the win especially given the Ospreys lost. The ref was completely Poopie but it probably evened out over the entire game. What I did notice was there was a lot of impact injuries surely the pitch has something to do with that?

Commiserations to the Glasgow fans on the board. If Ulster had lost that it would have left a very sour taste in my mouth and I can only imagine that many Glasgow supporters will feel the same. But to reiterate the above, very promising times ahead with some of the youngsters.

neilthom7 wrote:Well that was umm eventful. Well played Glasgow, you put up one hell of fight but I am glad we got the win especially given the Ospreys lost. The ref was completely Poopie but it probably evened out over the entire game. What I did notice was there was a lot of impact injuries surely the pitch has something to do with that?

I suspect it was more to do with the impacts, players were defending for their lives!

The pitch made the game in all honestly, we would not have had that game on the old Scotstoun pitch or dare I say at Kingspan in those conditions.

Ludik was incredible. You have to feel he has reacted very well to the signing of a 'huge name' in his own position. Not only is Ulster's back division rather talented, but they are hugely multi-positional.And Jackson is surely closer than ever to nicking Sextons shirt.

Gutted for Olding as that injury looked potentially career ending. McCloskey in the boot didn't look too hopeful either and with Luke Marshall also in doubt, Ulster might be calling up Bowe to 13 once he's fit.

Paddy Jackson was my MOTM and outplayed Russell - although BBC Scotland also had Puafisi in the running for that particular accolade!

Commiserations to Glasgow who never gave up and put their bodies on the line - they are still a champion team who didn't look like they were missing any players.

The Great Aukster wrote:Great result for Ulster - laying the Scotstoun hoodoo to rest.

Gutted for Olding as that injury looked potentially career ending. McCloskey in the boot didn't look too hopeful either and with Luke Marshall also in doubt, Ulster might be calling up Bowe to 13 once he's fit.

Paddy Jackson was my MOTM and outplayed Russell - although BBC Scotland also had Puafisi in the running for that particular accolade!

Commiserations to Glasgow who never gave up and put their bodies on the line - they are still a champion team who didn't look like they were missing any players.

I really hope its not that bad for Olding.

Re the 13 shirt, Cave had a great game at 13 I thought, he may be at the bottom of the pecking order but he is still a quality option to have. Piutau is an option at 13 and played well there for Wasps last season from what I'm told. Given that we have good options in the back three with Bowe, Trimble, Stockdale and Gilroy all close to returning it might be a good option. Bowe is an option, Ludik played there this evening when Olding went off. Our backline depth may be tested, but it will hold.

The Great Aukster wrote:Great result for Ulster - laying the Scotstoun hoodoo to rest.

Gutted for Olding as that injury looked potentially career ending. McCloskey in the boot didn't look too hopeful either and with Luke Marshall also in doubt, Ulster might be calling up Bowe to 13 once he's fit.

Paddy Jackson was my MOTM and outplayed Russell - although BBC Scotland also had Puafisi in the running for that particular accolade!

Commiserations to Glasgow who never gave up and put their bodies on the line - they are still a champion team who didn't look like they were missing any players.

I really hope its not that bad for Olding.

Re the 13 shirt, Cave had a great game at 13 I thought, he may be at the bottom of the pecking order but he is still a quality option to have. Piutau is an option at 13 and played well there for Wasps last season from what I'm told. Given that we have good options in the back three with Bowe, Trimble, Stockdale and Gilroy all close to returning it might be a good option. Bowe is an option, Ludik played there this evening when Olding went off. Our backline depth may be tested, but it will hold.

The fact that Olding walked off gives me hope. Same goes for a quick recovery for McCloskey. We will just have to wait and see what unfolds.

Not sure what Ulster fans are complaining about the ref for. Their first disallowed try was a good try, but correctly ruled out for utter stupidity. And the second was textbook truck and trailer.

I think they should be thanking the ref for giving them a ridiculous penalty try despite Sarto clearly getting at least one arm round Piatau's leg (even if his technique was admittedly abominable) and there clearly being another defender between him and the tryline.

At that point it almost felt like the ref was almost so embarrassed by Ulster messing up their previous tries that he felt he had to give them something to even it out.

And of course forearm smashes to the face seem to OK if you're Rodney Ah You.

Having said all that, only Ulster's own stupidity as mentioned above stopped them winning that much more comfortably as they were easily the better team throughout.

Please just do not moan about the ref!

Also while the final score was certainly encouraging for Glasgow given the circumstances, I don't share the optimism about some of the youngsters. Sam Johnson got shown up badly I felt and that schoolboy flop over Puafisi to end our last realistic chance of finding a winning score was unforgivable.

All in all though, I'm still more angry about last week's throwing of the game than tonight's defeat.

I am a bit gutted that Glasgow lost but credit to Ulster, they deserved the win. Hopefully with the likes of Strauss, Favaro, Harley and Swinson back later in the season Glasgow can get the return win.

I have to say though, if Ulster continue to play as well as they are currently I don't see why they can't get to the last 8 at least of the Heineken cup. It would be great for the Pro 12 to get better representation in the tournament so I hope (to a certain extent, obviously) they continue to play well.

I wonder what the odds are on Paddy Jackson being selected for the Lions? I know it is a long, long shot, but he was absolutely superb tonight.

Not sure what Ulster fans are complaining about the ref for. Their first disallowed try was a good try, but correctly ruled out for utter stupidity. And the second was textbook truck and trailer.

I think they should be thanking the ref for giving them a ridiculous penalty try despite Sarto clearly getting at least one arm round Piatau's leg (even if his technique was admittedly abominable) and there clearly being another defender between him and the tryline.

At that point it almost felt like the ref was almost so embarrassed by Ulster messing up their previous tries that he felt he had to give them something to even it out.

And of course forearm smashes to the face seem to OK if you're Rodney Ah You.

Having said all that, only Ulster's own stupidity as mentioned above stopped them winning that much more comfortably as they were easily the better team throughout.

Please just do not moan about the ref!

Also while the final score was certainly encouraging for Glasgow given the circumstances, I don't share the optimism about some of the youngsters. Sam Johnson got shown up badly I felt and that schoolboy flop over Puafisi to end our last realistic chance of finding a winning score was unforgivable.

All in all though, I'm still more angry about last week's throwing of the game than tonight's defeat.

Three paragraphs yapping about the ref and then "Please just do not moan about the ref".

Nematode wrote:I am a bit gutted that Glasgow lost but credit to Ulster, they deserved the win. Hopefully with the likes of Strauss, Favaro, Harley and Swinson back later in the season Glasgow can get the return win.

I have to say though, if Ulster continue to play as well as they are currently I don't see why they can't get to the last 8 at least of the Heineken cup. It would be great for the Pro 12 to get better representation in the tournament so I hope (to a certain extent, obviously) they continue to play well.

I wonder what the odds are on Paddy Jackson being selected for the Lions? I know it is a long, long shot, but he was absolutely superb tonight.

Lovely post, Nematode.

It was a crazy game, wonderful for the neutral, nerve shredding for the fans! It was a brutal game. Reminded me of a game we had at Ravers three season ago (think it was three?). It appears that we bring out the brutal best in each other!

Considering the Glasgow injury list, Glasgow played really well, and the young guys did the shirt proud. I expected a really tight game even so, and that's what we got, in spades. The Ulster pack did us proud this evening also. To a man they raised their game, otherwise we could have been hammered.

Not sure what Ulster fans are complaining about the ref for. Their first disallowed try was a good try, but correctly ruled out for utter stupidity. And the second was textbook truck and trailer.

I think they should be thanking the ref for giving them a ridiculous penalty try despite Sarto clearly getting at least one arm round Piatau's leg (even if his technique was admittedly abominable) and there clearly being another defender between him and the tryline.

At that point it almost felt like the ref was almost so embarrassed by Ulster messing up their previous tries that he felt he had to give them something to even it out.

And of course forearm smashes to the face seem to OK if you're Rodney Ah You.

Having said all that, only Ulster's own stupidity as mentioned above stopped them winning that much more comfortably as they were easily the better team throughout.

Please just do not moan about the ref!

Also while the final score was certainly encouraging for Glasgow given the circumstances, I don't share the optimism about some of the youngsters. Sam Johnson got shown up badly I felt and that schoolboy flop over Puafisi to end our last realistic chance of finding a winning score was unforgivable.

All in all though, I'm still more angry about last week's throwing of the game than tonight's defeat.

Three paragraphs yapping about the ref and then "Please just do not moan about the ref".

Not sure what Ulster fans are complaining about the ref for. Their first disallowed try was a good try, but correctly ruled out for utter stupidity. And the second was textbook truck and trailer.

I think they should be thanking the ref for giving them a ridiculous penalty try despite Sarto clearly getting at least one arm round Piatau's leg (even if his technique was admittedly abominable) and there clearly being another defender between him and the tryline.

At that point it almost felt like the ref was almost so embarrassed by Ulster messing up their previous tries that he felt he had to give them something to even it out.

And of course forearm smashes to the face seem to OK if you're Rodney Ah You.

Having said all that, only Ulster's own stupidity as mentioned above stopped them winning that much more comfortably as they were easily the better team throughout.

Please just do not moan about the ref!

Also while the final score was certainly encouraging for Glasgow given the circumstances, I don't share the optimism about some of the youngsters. Sam Johnson got shown up badly I felt and that schoolboy flop over Puafisi to end our last realistic chance of finding a winning score was unforgivable.

All in all though, I'm still more angry about last week's throwing of the game than tonight's defeat.

Three paragraphs yapping about the ref and then "Please just do not moan about the ref".

No real surprise about the result. Ulster looking very good and will only get better when they get some of their first team back. Glasgow were poor in the first half. I was expecting Ulster to have total dominance up front, but they didn't have it all their own way. Ulster are my favourites to win the league

As for the ref, he was sh!te. But I think it all balanced out in the end.

Very good game which I'm just catching up on now. Have finished the first half.

Disappointing to see us miss out on two tries; the first try was especially disappointing as it was a fantastic line from Payne, a lovely try, but 100% the right decision to go back for Henderson's offence. Unfortunately Henderson cost us the try on that occasion which was a shame for Payne as that was quality from him.

The second try, I can see why they decided that looked dodgy but thought that the tackler didn't try to get to the ball carrier and might have been in from the side anyway so not sure that that shouldn't have been given.

Thought the penalty try was absolutely a cast iron penalty but not sure you can say that Piutau would have definitely scored, there was another defender. Piutau is a quality finisher though so... Can see why it was given but would not have been overly aggrieved if it was a penalty and yellow but not a PT.

Always disappointing when referee decisions are the main talking point but in that first half Ulster were very cute in running blocking lines and occasionally taking Glasgow players out off the ball! It did cost us a try when Henderson was less than cute in doing just that. But, on a much more positive note, we are looking very, very slick with ball in hand and when we make a mistake or miss a tackle, or something happens to disrupt us like a disallowed try it doesn't dent our confidence, we recover extremely well without panicking. Thats the big difference for me between this years team and previous years. Very promising sign.

Dare I say this was the third game in a row where we could have had the four tries had we been just a tad more clinical?

Also, think this might very well be our best back three. Piutau, Payne, Ludik. I'm a big fan of Ludik- you put him anywhere in the outside backs and he plays well. Delighted we managed to hold onto him.

Scratch that- having seen the first Jackson chance, we definitely should have had the BP! Of course that was a penalty against Wilson but that was an amazing run followed by a remarkably unlucky finish. 22 points is a poor return but impressive we didn't some very bad luck derail us.

Very pleased with the mentality of this team. We've all seen this happen before as Ulster fans. We dominate away from home, don't take our chances, and then the opposition- outplayed but more clinical- manage a smash and grab win. Well we went 17-15 down after dominating and we weren't flustered. We scored a truly brilliant try, executed with great confidence, to win the game. We're still not clinical enough but its early in the season and we will only improve. Think we're in good shape with more very good players to come back. Trimble, Marshall, Gilroy, Best and Payne having only played their first game, Marcell Coetzee and of course, the big guy- Ricky Lutton.

Worried about Olding. I've heard before about players with knee problems not being played on artificial pitches. I think Olding could be a guy who wins 50+ caps for Ireland if he stays fit. It would be awful if its the same knee.

Notch wrote:Scratch that- having seen the first Jackson chance, we definitely should have had the BP! Of course that was a penalty against Wilson but that was an amazing run followed by a remarkably unlucky finish. 22 points is a poor return but impressive we didn't some very bad luck derail us.

Very pleased with the mentality of this team. We've all seen this happen before as Ulster fans. We dominate away from home, don't take our chances, and then the opposition- outplayed but more clinical- manage a smash and grab win. Well we went 17-15 down after dominating and we weren't flustered. We scored a truly brilliant try, executed with great confidence, to win the game. We're still not clinical enough but its early in the season and we will only improve. Think we're in good shape with more very good players to come back. Trimble, Marshall, Gilroy, Best and Payne having only played their first game, Marcell Coetzee and of course, the big guy- Ricky Lutton.

Worried about Olding. I've heard before about players with knee problems not being played on artificial pitches. I think Olding could be a guy who wins 50+ caps for Ireland if he stays fit. It would be awful if its the same knee.

I think that Jack Nowell for Exeter and England isn't able to play on the artificial pitches for that reason.

I have to say thats what I wondered because I have knee issues and if I play a game of football even on an artifical pitch i am basically crippled for days afterwards even without any injury during the match